Participation in a national emergency scheme is voluntary but requires a clear commitment from companies to support competent authorities in land-based chemical transport incidents. Depending on their capabilities and resources, companies can provide three levels of support:
Level 1 Support: Substance Information
Remote, substance-specific support via telephone or email, including providing or confirming Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and general product information.
Level 2 Support: Expert Contact
Guidance from a specialised expert at the scene of the incident, supporting the competent authorities in their decision-making.
Level 3 Support: Intervention Teams & Equipment
Deployment of specialised intervention teams, experts and dedicated equipment at the incident scene to assist the authorities’ response.
This commitment primarily covers products manufactured by the company itself and is usually integrated into the company’s own distribution emergency response scheme. Emergency services may also request advice or support if the product supplier is unknown or unreachable. In such cases, assistance can be provided based on prior arrangements with the national ICE scheme. However, safeguarding their own site facilities always takes priority over Level 2 and Level 3 interventions.
The ultimate responsibility for any intervention at the scene remains with the competent emergency authorities.
A key element of the protocol between the national authorities and the chemical industry (represented by the national chemical federation) is the list of participating companies. This list includes details for each participant, such as:
- Address, telephone number, and email
- Range of products (dangerous goods are identified by UN numbers)
- Time availability, intervention equipment, and area of intervention (if limited)
- Map showing the locations of participating companies to help authorities contact the nearest site in case of a transport incident